Geophagia: An extraordinary cause of\ua0perforation of the sigmoid colon

A case of large bowel perforation due to geophagi

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor located retroperitoneally with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis: report of a case

Perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms, also known as "PEComas", are unusual mesenchymal tumors, exhibiting perivascular epithelioid cell differentiation and characterized by a mixed myogenic and melanocytic phenotype. "PEComas not otherwise specified" (PEComas-NOS) are especially rare; consequently, there are no published large series, but only case reports. These tumors are rarely located retroperitoneally, with only about 15 such cases reported. We report a case of pulmonary diffuse lymphangioleiomyomatosis with large retroperitoneal PEComa-NOS in a 66-year-old woman. Treatment consisted only of tumor resection, without additional adjuvant therapy. We emphasize the importance of correct immunohistochemistry diagnosis, initiation of recommended treatment, and surveillance of this unique family of tumors

Impact of obesity on early surgical and oncologic outcomes after total gastrectomy with "over-D1" lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer

The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on perioperative and pathologic outcomes after total gastrectomy with "over-D1" dissection for gastric cancer

Total gastrectomy with "over-D1" lymph node dissection: what is the actual impact of age?

We aimed to evaluate risk factors for postoperative complications after total gastrectomy with "over-D1" lymphadenectomy

Study of a Supercritical Roughness Element in a Hypersonic Laminar Boundary Layer

In this study, the mean flow organization ahead and behind a supercritical cylindrical roughness element immersed in an incoming laminar boundary layer at edge Mach number 6.48 is investigated by means of schlieren visualization, infrared thermography, and planar particle image velocimetry. The schlieren images provide a general overview of the shock-wave system developing around the roughness element. The surface heat transfer map obtained with infrared thermography provides an overall description of the near-wall flow organization in the streamwise and spanwise directions. The off-surface flow topology is inspected with particle image velocimetry in the symmetry plane of the recirculation region upstream of the roughness element. The flow approaching the roughness element separates, forming a main recirculation region adjacent to the stagnation line at the cylinder leading edge. The reattachment vortex is responsible for a heat flux local peak in front of the protuberance. Secondary, more complex local foci and stagnation points are observed upstream of the roughness element, which also correspond to the local maximum of turbulent kinetic energy and surface heat transfer

Outcomes of open splenectomy for hematologic malignancy with splenomegaly: a contemporary perspective

Splenectomy for hematologic malignancy (HM) is considered a high-risk procedure, especially in cases of splenomegaly. We analyzed the postoperative course of 82 patients undergoing open splenectomy for HM-related splenomegaly (splenic craniocaudal length 15 cm or greater) in a high-volume center. Primary outcome measures were: perioperative clinical course, rate and severity of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification), and length of hospital stay. Risk factors analyzed for morbidity and mortality by logistic regression analysis were: gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)grade, body mass index (BMI), steroidal treatment, preoperative white blood cell count, spleen size, spleen weight, and operative time. The postoperative mortality rate was 1.2 per cent. Only 15.9 per cent of patients required surgical, endoscopic, or radiological intervention after splenectomy (Grade 3 or greater complication). Overall postoperative morbidity rate (as Grade 2 or greater complication) was 52.4 per cent. Surgical complications, mainly bleeding, occurred in 40.2 per cent of patients and 32.9 per cent of patients required blood transfusion. Medical complication rate was 24.4 per cent. Pulmonary disorders were prevalent among medical complications. At multivariate analysis, only ASA score was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications. Open splenectomy can be performed in high-volume centers with low mortality and acceptable morbidity in patients with HM-related splenomegaly, provided that patients at highest risk of postoperative complication (ASA greater than 3) are carefully evaluated

A mammary nodule mimicking breast cancer

Metastases to the breast from extramammary tumors are rare. Several clinical, radiologic, and histologic signs can help to distinguish metastases from breast primary tumors. In the present study, we present a case of a left-sided breast metastasis from renal cancer in a 44-year-old woman whose clinical presentation was a mammary nodule in the upper internal quadrant. The patient underwent quadrantectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. The histology revealed a clear cell carcinoma. On computed tomography scan a 5 78-cm left renal mass with pulmonary, liver, and intrapericardial nodules was found. The patient underwent palliative care and died after 4 months. Metastasis to the breast is rare, but all of those clinical, radiologic, and histologic signs more typical of extramammary malignancies should always be considered in order to choose the best treatment strategy

Data to the work "Pressure fluctuations from large-scale PIV over a serrated trailing edge"

Data from the figures of the work entitled "Pressure fluctuations from large-scale PIV over a serrated trailing edge" by L.T. Lima Pereira, D. Ragni, F. Avallone, F. Scaran

Superior Osteo-Inductive and Osteo-Conductive Properties of Trabecular Titanium vs. PEEK Scaffolds on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Proof of Concept for the Use of Fusion Cages

Fusion cages composed of titanium and its alloys are emerging as valuable alternative to standard polyetheretherketone (PEEK) ones routinely used in cervical and lumbar spine surgery. Aim of this study was to evaluate osteo-inductive and osteo-conductive ability of an innovative trabecular titanium (T-Ti) scaffold on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), in both absence and presence of biochemical osteogenic stimuli. Same abilities were assessed on PEEK and standard 2D plastic surface, the latter meant as gold-standard for in vitro differentiation studies. hMSCs adhered and colonized both T-Ti and PEEK scaffolds. In absence of osteogenic factors, T-Ti triggered osteogenic induction of MSCs, as demonstrated by alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition increments, while PEEK and standard 2D did not. Addition of osteogenic stimuli reinforced osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs cultured on T-Ti in a significantly higher manner with respect to standard 2D plastic culture surfaces, whereas PEEK almost completely abolished the process. T-Ti driven differentiation towards osteoblasts was confirmed by gene and marker expression analyses, even in absence of osteogenic stimuli. These results clearly indicate superior in vitro osteo-inductive and osteo-conductive capacity of T-Ti compared to PEEK, and make ground for further studies supporting the use of T-Ti cages to improve bone fusion

Superior Osteo-Inductive and Osteo-Conductive Properties of Trabecular Titanium vs. PEEK Scaffolds on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Proof of Concept for the Use of Fusion Cages

Fusion cages composed of titanium and its alloys are emerging as valuable alternative to standard polyetheretherketone (PEEK) ones routinely used in cervical and lumbar spine surgery. Aim of this study was to evaluate osteo-inductive and osteo-conductive ability of an innovative trabecular titanium (T-Ti) scaffold on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), in both absence and presence of biochemical osteogenic stimuli. Same abilities were assessed on PEEK and standard 2D plastic surface, the latter meant as gold-standard for in vitro differentiation studies. hMSCs adhered and colonized both T-Ti and PEEK scaffolds. In absence of osteogenic factors, T-Ti triggered osteogenic induction of MSCs, as demonstrated by alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition increments, while PEEK and standard 2D did not. Addition of osteogenic stimuli reinforced osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs cultured on T-Ti in a significantly higher manner with respect to standard 2D plastic culture surfaces, whereas PEEK almost completely abolished the process. T-Ti driven differentiation towards osteoblasts was confirmed by gene and marker expression analyses, even in absence of osteogenic stimuli. These results clearly indicate superior in vitro osteo-inductive and osteo-conductive capacity of T-Ti compared to PEEK, and make ground for further studies supporting the use of T-Ti cages to improve bone fusion